Description Small vole with short, dense dorsal fur that is sooty gray to dark brown or almost black with a mixture of yellowish hairs. Belly is a dusky gray to white. Eyes are especially small, tail is short, almost black on top and gray underneath. Has five plantar tubercles on feet.

Dimensions 130-153mm, 30-41mm, 17-20g

Similar Species Small size and tiny eyes distinguish it from other voles.

Discussion They feed on herbs and grasses in addition to fungi. Most of their time is spent underground, and nests are in burrows or under tree roots or rotting logs. Occupies grassy and herbaceous sites within moist coniferous forests, including recent clearcuts.